Dozens of mice have been found abandoned in fish tanks dumped near some rubbish bins.

The RSPCA is appealing for information after the 62 mice, including 13 babies, were discovered by a member of the public in Brough on Wednesday.

RSPCA inspector Alice Cooper received a call to say four plastic goldfish tanks had been dumped by the bins in Main Road, each containing a group - or mischief - of mice.

62 mice were found abandoned in fish tanks by bins in Brough (Image: RSPCA)

Ms Cooper said: “The mice were found in plastic tubs. A lady found the mice by the bins and took them into her home before calling us.

“To abandon such tiny, vulnerable rodents like this is completely irresponsible and cruel. They were exposed to the elements and could have succumbed to the cold weather or been killed by another animal.”

They’d been dumped in plastic tanks with sawdust bedding and water bottles.

Insp Cooper took the mice into care and then faced the long process of sexing and splitting the mice.

In total, there were 62 mice, with 30 adults, 19 youngsters and 13 babies, so RSPCA staff set about splitting the 13 adult males and 17 adult females to ensure no more unwanted litters.

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Ms Cooper said: “All of the female mice were heavily pregnant so we’ll have even more babies before we know it. One actually gave birth at my house overnight!

“It’s really important to keep male and female mice apart otherwise you end up, quite quickly, with hundreds of mice - which I suspect is what has happened here.

“When the owners soon realised they couldn’t cope with all of these rodents I suspect they took the rather extreme step of abandoning them - and it’s charities like the RSPCA who are left picking up the pieces.”

Sadly, two adult mice had to be put to sleep on veterinary advice as they were very ill. But the rest have all been taken in by staff at Reptilia in Ossett, West Yorkshire.

The RSPCA is appealing for anyone with any information about where the mice may have come from or who is responsible for dumping them, to get in touch by calling the inspector appeal line on 0300 123 8018 and leave a message for Ms Cooper.